Beyond File Names: Decoding the Secrets of Files with Signatures & Metadata

  • Tuesday, 02 Jul 2024 1:00PM EDT (02 Jul 2024 17:00 UTC)
  • Speaker: Kathryn Hedley

Part 2 of 6

Don't be fooled by file extensions! This workshop delves deeper, equipping you to identify a file's true type using file signatures. We'll identify and analyze embedded metadata, revealing hidden information about a file's origin, author, creation date, and sometimes even GPS location. Through hands-on exercises, you'll master the skills to extract these digital traces, and uncover the secrets hidden within your data.

Background Information

This hands-on series cracks the code on digital evidence. Designed for beginners, you'll unlock the secrets hidden within devices, from understanding data storage to interpreting timestamps. Learn to extract critical evidence, navigate forensic images, and convert between data formats. Whether you're in law enforcement, IT security, or simply curious about the digital world, this series empowers you to become a digital detective.

Register for all parts in the series:

Part 1: Demystifying Data: Hands-on Data Conversion Between Binary, Hexadecimal, Decimal, and ASCII

Part 3: Data Carving: Recovering Hidden Files from Digital Graveyards

Part 4: Decoding Time: Understanding Endianness and Timestamp Formats

Part 5: Hands-on Digital Forensics: Exploring Evidence with Mounted Images

Part 6: Demystifying Base64: A Detailed Beginner's Guide to Encoding and Decoding